(1) Valparaiso vs (8) Oakland
Valparaiso defeated Oakland in both contests this season. Valparaiso is currently on a 12 game not losing ever streak to Oakland who has been unable to beat the Mid-Con champs in every try. Valpo is looking for their eight Mid-Con tournament championship. The X factor? Oakland was supposed to be number-one, now they have the chance to beat number-one. Oakland’s Mike Helm is their leader and will be the difference in the game. Mike Helms and Co. will have to hope that 13 is their lucky number.

(2) IUPUI vs (7) Southern Utah
The two split regular season battles each winning on the other’s home floor. If Southern Utah wants the upset they will have to use hold Bradley in check and hope the Jags struggle to shoot as they did in the Jan. 17 win. Southern Utah will have to depend on their range and quickness, but cannot compete with IUPUI ‘s athleticism.

(3) Centenary vs (6) Chicago State
Team Feel-Good-Story-of-the-Year split the season series with the Gents. Centenary lost to the Cougars in their last regular season game. The key for Kevin Jones’ men is to force the Gentlemen to not mind their elders (the Wiz) and force other people to score. The Wiz is the only player on the team to average double-digits. Expect the trio of Franklin, Weeden ,and Perry to get theirs, but if State wants to win this game and games after 7’1″ baby baller Jeleel Ankindele will need to swat more shots. Last time these two teams played Ankindele welcomed the Gentlemen to his block party sending back five shots.

(4) Oral Roberts vs (5) UMKC
The two split regular season match-ups, each winning on the other’s home floor. UMKC is the host school and should have the crowd on their side, but Michael Watson will need to try to match the scoring power of the Infant Eagles. Johnathon Bluit leads the Mid-Con in assists and will be looking to hand dimes out to his young buddies. Nation meet King Tutt.

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Temple is firmly on the bubble after losing in the American Athletic Conference Tournament to SMU. It’s the first time in head coach Fran Dunphy’s storied career that his team has been in this situation.

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East Carolina’s first season in the American Athletic Conference is complete. With that, the challenge they face as shown by their history looks clear, and they may have just the right coach to navigate it.

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Hoopville Archives

College Basketball Books

College Basketball Tonight

Be sure to listen to COLLEGE BASKETBALL TONIGHT, a comprehensive look at the NCAA Tournament hosted by veteran college basketball broadcaster Ted Sarandis, joined by former St. John's and George Washington head coach Mike Jarvis, former Fairfield head coach Terry O'Connor and many great guests, including Hoopville's own Phil Kasiecki.

The show will air on WNYM AM 970 The Answer in New York City from 7-9 p.m. on Selection Sunday, then from 5-7 p.m. each Sunday up to the Final Four. Check here every Sunday evening starting with Selection Sunday, March 15, for a link to the live stream.

Coming up soon: archives of this year's shows.

Coaching Changes and NBA Draft Early Entrants

The coaching carousel is moving. Keep track of the latest coaching changes right here on Hoopville.

Also, keep track of players who have declared early for the NBA Draft.

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Sunday was the day for a trip a little down the road from Saturday’s destination to check out some prep school action. We take a look at some notes from the day’s games in the Hoop Dreams Mag Prep Classic.